Written by: Shanice Pillay

Townships and rural areas in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) are the main focus for driving safety awareness and exposing local culture and attractions by the Department of Tourism ahead of this year’s festive season.

“As the department, we are championing the concept of the WowZulu, which is exposing people to the Zulu culture and how people in rural areas live. It is not only this one that is in KZN, we have this one and other ones in other districts which is promoting the Zulu culture and heritage,” MEC of Tourism, Sihle Zikalala said.

Zikalala had been addressing stakeholders and tourism groups at the KZN Is Summer Campaign in Port Shepstone on Saturday. The south coast is being highlighted as an area for development as a tourist destination.

“The south coast has a lot of offerings; there are beautiful beaches and we also have the tourism in rural and township areas, which is quite important. I believe what we have seen is an indication that it can grow the industry of tourism,” he said.

Mayor of the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Nomusa Mqwebu, confirmed that infrastructure would be laid out, in partnership with the department, as they looked to increase the flow of tourists within the region ahead of this festive season.

She said that they have identified problems facing water distribution in the area.

“The problem is the old pipes and now they are putting in new pipes so that everything goes back to what it has been, also we are getting more tankers so that we have more reservoirs so that it will reach all the people,” said Mqwebu.

Several reports had suggested that acts of vandalism had been the reason behind these shortages. However, management of the Ray Nkonyeni Municipality had confirmed that old pipes and poor connections had also been contributing factors.

Plans have been put into place to assist communities on the south coast, which have been affected by recent water shortages. This comes after reports had suggested that burst pipes and valves which had been tampered with, were the cause of residents not having access to water. Management of the Ugu District had met at the KZN is Summer event, to discuss a way forward.

Meanwhile Zikalala, said the department will assist the municipality where possible, as the area could serve as a popular tourist destination.

The department believes that an influx of tourists to the area is to be expected this festive season.

“We are working with the municipality and the district council to ensure that water disruptions are addressed. There is a long term plan working around installing new infrastructure but there are also short term plans to ensure that where there are challenges, we intervene immediately,” he said.

*Caption: MEC for Tourism, Sihle Zikalala, addressing tourism groups and stakeholders at the KZN IS SUMMER Campaign.